Latest News

Google to Start Road Testing Self-Driving Cars

News about Google’s self-driving car scheme has been quietly
ticking away since around 2010. Progress has fluctuated back and forth since
then, tethered to the inconsistent way the necessary technology has been
advancing and going back to the drawing board again and again. They haven’t
necessarily been consistently at the forefront of this movement, with numerous
car manufacturers working on their own iterations and elements of the
technology have already wormed their way into cars which are readily available
now, like the 2014 Mercedes S-Class. The Navia Shuttle is, to date, the only
publically available autonomous vehicle, although it’s more like a public
shuttle/fancy-ass golf cart than a proper car.

Google, meanwhile, have now divulged that they intend to
start road testing their own driverless car in earnest in and around their HQ
in California. They’ve done this in the
past, but with far less complete versions, and there have been a few minor
accidents. The new prototypes will be driven at a maximum of 25mph, include new
safety features and, thankfully, will be operated by safety drivers who can take
control if something untoward happens. Initially only 25 of them will be roving
around, but depending on how that goes, Google plan on expanding to 50, then
100, in order to be able to test in more adverse environments (like steeper
inclines and roads that get more slick in the rain).

It’s a pretty big step up from the model they tested out
last May, which was smaller and lacked most of the rudimentary features you’d
see in any normal car like a steering wheel, headlights and brakes (terrifying?
Terrifying). Smartly, Google are also going to launch a site which will track
test routes, report on any accidents that might (but hopefully won’t) happen
and generally build public interest. This increase in testing activity in the
public eye (rather than in Google’s ominous ‘Secret X Lab’) is probably a
response to reports that Apple and numerous other tech companies are getting in
on the act.

But how much validity is there to the whole concept of
autonomous cars? I never thought I’d find myself agreeing with Jeremy Clarkson,
but he once pointed out that the moment they start going out as retail
vehicles, someone somewhere will decide that they can perform their own engine
services/modifications without professional help, an unsettling prospect. A law
preventing Knight Rider fans from
owning self-driving cars should probably be put in place. What will likely
happen is that more driverless features will continue to become the standard in
otherwise normal cars until you can basically decide whether or not you can
drive at a moment’s notice, but we’re still a pretty long way from those
terrifying Johnny Cab things, and thank God for that.

Callum Davies

Callum is a film school graduate who is now making a name for himself as a journalist and content writer. His vices include flat whites and 90s hip-hop. Follow him@CallumAtSMF

About Social Songbird

Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews.
Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare.
Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way.
So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing!
More articles are posted every day so keep checking back!
Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird
Or contact us directly - @SongbirdWriters

Meet The Team

Sam Bonson - Editor/Content Writer

Sam is an aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. Currently working as Editor of Social Songbird, he hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. Follow him @Songbird_Sam

Mili Ponce - Executive Editor

Mili Ponce is a recognised international Digital Marketing strategist and keynote speaker.
Known in the UK as the Twitter Queen for the last 9 years, she was the first one, to write and speak in conference about how to create an online business and promote any products and services by using Twitter.
She gives training and consultancy to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers, Business Owners and Individuals @miliponceuk

Sarah Cousins - Contributor

I write about ideas. My background is in strategic marketing, PR, social media and project management, my future is in ideas. I’m professionally qualified with the Chartered Institute of Marketing, holding a postgraduate diploma in strategic marketing. After working for the BBC I spent a lot of time in the education sector. I’ve flirted with freelance work and consultancy but the BIG thing I’ve noticed is that people want practical results (ridiculously fast). I help boutique business owners and online entrepreneurs. One powerful idea can change your world, last a lifetime or even create a legacy. You can find me on Twitter @The_Ideas_Girl

Victoria Greene - Contributor

Victoria Greene is an e-commerce marketing expert and freelance writer who derives an unusual level of enjoyment from browsing supermarkets. You can read more of her work at her blog Victoria Ecommerce